With reference to the article ‘In the midst of life & death’; it was expected after the first wave of Covid hit us over a year ago that we all — individuals, society and the nation — will pause and try to reorient our goals and objectives to make lives meaningful. Unfortunately, when the situation became slightly better, it was business as usual. There was no change at all. A great opportunity was given to us, but we failed to grab it. The same bickering is going on among people, political parties and nations. The second wave has given us another opportunity to redefine the goals of our lives. Even the definition of success of a person and the development of a nation can be recalibrated.

Ashoke K Sarkar, Jammu

Curbs not for farmers?

The governments of Delhi, Haryana and UP have imposed lockdowns in their respective states to control the surge of Covid-19 infections. All large gatherings — political, social or religious that are a major cause of the spread of the virus have been banned. Even the number of attendees at funerals is capped at 20. Are the lockdown curbs not applicable to farmers who have been sitting in thousands at Delhi borders for months now? Will a gathering of 21 mourners at a funeral spread more virus in a few hours than a gathering of thousands of farmers for months? We can’t win the war against Covid with politics on our mind.

AK Agarwal, Chandigarh

Liquor not ‘essential’

The Punjab Government has modified its order to allow liquor vends to remain open. It is a step in the wrong direction, amid the highest case fatality ratio (CFR) being witnessed by the state. Since there are hundreds of liquor vends dotting the state, to allow them to operate on weekdays, may invite a catastrophic situation. The rush at liquor vends would turn into mini hotspots. Restrictions on other non-essential activities may not yield the desirable result to break the virus transmission chain if liquor shops remain open. Since liquor is not listed as an essential commodity, the government should roll back its decision.

Anil Vinayak, Amritsar

Taking on the BJP

Refer to ‘Didi may emerge as rallying point for anti-BJP forces’; the impressive victory of the TMC was the most striking feature of the recent Assembly polls. With these results coming at a time when a vacuum exists in the national Opposition space, hopes have been rekindled of regional parties coalescing together to take on the BJP at the Centre. But we must remember that earlier third front governments needed a national party to serve as an anchor. Therefore it is time to prepare for the 2024 LS elections, and if such a third front experiment is to be revived sans a national party, a strong regional leader has to lead. With Mamata's thumping Bengal win, where a CM defeated a PM, she is a top candidate for the role of leading the third front. If she is serious about the national spotlight, she will have to shed Bengali parochialism and craft a national image for herself. Roping in the Congress will reinforce the Opposition.

Lal Singh, Amritsar

People’s Governor

Apropos of ‘An able administrator’, the J&K administration has done well by announcing a three-day state mourning in memory of Jagmohan. I was posted at Srinagar three years after he relinquished charge, but people there spoke highly of him even then. He was very particular about the basic requirements of the general public. Even during a power cut, the supply of potable water was never stopped. PM VP Singh had to recall him under pressure from the Abdullah clan. His most remarkable achievement was the setting up of the Dharmarth Trust for Vaishno Devi shrine. Himachal Pradesh followed suit by setting up similar trusts for shrines in that state, putting an end to the distribution of donations to ‘Baaridars’.

Upendra Sharma, by mail

CRRID and beyond

Besides playing a ‘pivotal role in bringing socio-economic development to the northern region’, Rashpal Malhotra actively also sought a rapprochement between India and Pakistan by exploring a possible solution to the J&K issue. He arranged a meeting at CRRID, where he invited Lt Gen Talat Masood (retd) of the Pakistan army, a leading commentator on matters relating to politics and security, accompanied by some other professionals in the field. On our side, he persuaded Gen VP Malik (retd), journalist MJ Akbar and Sajjad Lone, People’s Conference chief now, to participate. The proceedings must have provided the government with relevant feedback at that time. Such was the wide canvas of his work which was possible only because of his immense energy and initiative. I was one of the spectators at the meeting.

Lt Col GS Bedi (Retd), Mohali